Modifications and improvements of these EF-105F systems eventually produced the F-105G Wild Weasels. F-105G's were powered by a single Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W of 26,500lbs of thrust. Performance specs included a top speed of 1,386 miles per hour, a cruising speed of 596 miles per hour, a range of 1,500 miles and a ceiling of 50,000 feet. Armament appropriately consisted of anti-radiation air-to-surface missiles and specialized radar detection equipment.
Design
The F-105 Thunderchief sported sharp, clean lines throughout - from the pointed nose to the engine exhaust extending out beyond the vertical tail fin. The single-seat cockpit was positioned towards the forward portion of the fuselage and seated in an integrated design placement which flowed with the smooth contours of the aircrafts unique design. Mid-wing monoplane wings were swept back and partnered with smaller tail planes to either side of the rear fuselage. The undercarriage was of a tricycle design with two main landing gears recessing into each wing and a nose wheel recessing into a position under the cockpit seating area. Engine intakes were positioned at the wing roots to either side and to the rear of the pilots position and fed a single Pratt & Whitney J57-P-5 engine of 23,500lb thrust with afterburner. The intakes also deserve special mention with their unique implementation - forward-swept on the outboard sides and recessing inward toward the fuselage sides. From a top-down or ground-up perspective, this added to the Thunderchiefs already definitive appearance. When on the ground, Thunderchiefs took on a notoriously high position - with the nose portion distinctly elevated - requiring a step ladder nearly twice the height of an average pilot. Armament would be held on external hardpoints with an optional internal bomb bay load - in any case, the system was fully nuclear-capable.
Armament
Standard armament for the Thunderchief was a single M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon, firing at an impressive 6,000 rounds per minute. This short-ranged armament was supplemented with a mix of externally- or internally-held ordnance in the form of conventional drop bombs of 750- and 1,000-lbs, fire bombs, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, 2.75" rocket pods and other specialty (nuclear or otherwise) weapons as needed, carried either externally or internally in a bomb bay under the fuselage. In total, Thunderchiefs could be outfitted with up to 8,000lbs of munitions to tackle a variety of roles with this total often compared to that of an entire formation of World War 2 bomber aircraft - such was the capability of the system from the start. 450-gallon fuel tanks were also part of the ordnance array, as was a "buddy" refueling tank. Additional systems included external chaff and flare dispensers.
Operational Service
The definitive F-105D models served extensively in the Vietnam War, fielded by the United States Air Force following the Gulf of Tonkin incident. In all, the type flew 75% of all aerial sorties against North Vietnamese targets in a four year span, taking part in the impressive and massive air campaign known as "Rolling Thunder". The aircraft proved its effectiveness, reliability and value against a variety of targets in a variety of designated roles, showcasing its impressive munitions-carrying and performance capabilities. Despite their nuclear-capable origins, the Thunderchief was fielded exclusively with conventional ordnance and was not limited to ground kills - several Thunderchiefs gained multiple air-to-air kills of enemy MiG fighters during the conflict. Operators of the aircraft included the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing operating out of Thailand and the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing (the latter as Wild Weasels). With their heavy involvement in the air war (surpassing some 20,000 combat sorties), Thunderchiefs inevitably paid an awful price - with many (at least 350) being downed over Vietnam, many by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire. Thunderchiefs were gradually phased out with the arrival of the classic McDonnell F-4 Phantom II.
Conclusion
Despite its sheer size, complexity and high production cost, the Thunderchief became a top-notch performer in the Vietnam Conflict. Its multi-faceted design allowed for the system to undertake a multitude of necessary battlefield roles and provide American warplanners with a major component in their air war. Despite the (rightfully-earned) attention given to the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II), the Thunderchief went on to become a classic American warbird in its own right, produced in volume with a war record to show for its achievements and at the very least, the system bridged a necessary gap between the early years of the Vietnam War and later ones- ultimately paving the way for equally potent aerial hot rods to come.
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